Ratchet strap apparatus including easily attachable cargo strap

ABSTRACT

A ratchet strap apparatus includes a tensioning strap adapted to be selectively tensioned and a cargo strap adapted to be secured to the apparatus using an inboard pin and an outboard pin and bending the cargo strap into a loop. In one embodiment, the outboard pin is secured to a side wall and an opening is provided between the outboard pin and another side wall whereby the outboard pin may be inserted into a cargo strap loop. In another embodiment, the outboard pin is slidingly received through a hole in one side wall and is selectively unseated from a saddle on the other side wall for insertion into the cargo strap loop. In yet another embodiment, the outboard pin is secured between two side walls and the inboard pin is selectively removable from and seated on saddles in each of the walls whereby the inboard pin extends therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional of and claims priority of application Ser. No.13/674,681 filed Nov. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of ratchet strap apparatustypically used in tying down cargo and other things and for tensioningpurposes. More particularly, the present invention relates to animproved ratchet strap apparatus including an easily attachable cargostrap.

2. Background

Ratchet strap apparatus are today commonly used, for example, in tyingdown cargo and loads on vehicles, trailers, etc., and for tensioningpurposes as needed or desired. Ratchet strap apparatus are, for example,shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,915; U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,987;U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,218; U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,848; and, U.S. Pat. No.4,199,182. These apparatus essentially include a mechanism having a windup drum rotatably mounted between two walls, and a handle engaging androtatably driving the drum. A flat tensioning strap is selectively woundonto the drum and unwound therefrom. Another flat strap referred toherein as a cargo strap is also secured to the apparatus. The terminalends of the straps include hooks whereby the strap ends can be hookedonto each other, the cargo/load or parts of the vehicle, trailer, etc.By winding the tension strap onto the drum, the straps are placed intension and the cargo/load is thereby secured or tension is placed asneeded or desired on the components whereat the hooks are affixed.

In most ratchet strap apparatus, the cargo strap is relatively short andis permanently affixed to the ratchet mechanism. The tensioning strap isrelatively longer and must be inserted through a slot in the drum,pulled taught and then, by rotatably driving the drum, caused to becomewound around the drum and thereby also become frictionally engaged andtensioned. As can be appreciated, it can be difficult to simultaneouslyhook the cargo strap at a desired location, hook the tensioning strap atanother desired location, insert the tensioning strap through the drumslot while maintaining or drawing it taught and then grasping and movingthe handle for rotatably driving the drum and tensioning the tensionstrap.

The ratchet strap apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,987 and U.S. Pat. No.4,199,182 make the use thereof easier by essentially providing amechanism that includes an inboard pin and an outboard pin on theratchet strap apparatus for more easily attaching the cargo strap. Thecargo strap is selectively attachable to the mechanism by bending itinto a loop with a slack end on one side thereof and a cargo engagementend on the other, locating the outboard pin through the loop and boththe slack end and cargo engagement end around the inboard pin. The slackend is sandwiched between the inboard pin and the cargo engagement endwhereby tension on the cargo engagement end frictionally secures theslack end between the cargo engagement end and the inboard pin. Thetensioning strap may then be wound around the drum using the ratchethandle for tensioning.

However, there remain shortcomings and drawbacks in such ratchet strapapparatus and in the securement of the cargo strap to the mechanism withthe inboard and outboard pins, and a need exists for an improved ratchetstrap apparatus wherein the cargo strap is relatively more easilyselectively attachable to the apparatus using inboard and outboard pins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a ratchetstrap apparatus including a tensioning strap adapted to be tensionedsuch as with a wind up drum rotatably mounted between two walls, ahandle selectively engaging and rotatably driving the drum and whereinthe tensioning strap is adapted to be wound onto the drum and unwoundtherefrom. An inboard pin and an outboard pin are secured to theapparatus. A cargo strap is selectively attachable to the apparatus bybending into a loop with a slack end on one side thereof and a cargoengagement end on the other, locating the outboard pin through the loopand both the slack end and cargo engagement end around the inboard pin.The slack end is sandwiched between the inboard pin and the cargoengagement end whereby tension on the cargo engagement end frictionallysecures the slack end between the cargo engagement end and the inboardpin. The outboard pin is secured to one side wall and extends to aterminal end. An opening is provided between the terminal end and theother side wall. The outboard pin is located through the loop byinserting the terminal end therethrough.

Preferably, a stop member is provided on the outboard pin terminal endprojecting beyond an outer surface of the outboard pin and preventinginadvertent withdrawal from the loop while the loop is engaged over andon the outboard pin. A U-shaped member can be provided having a basesection and integrally formed first and second legs extending therefrom,whereby the first leg extends between the ratchet strap two walls andforms the inboard pin, the base section is secured to one of the wallsand the second leg forms the outboard pin. The U-shaped member basesection and the first and second legs, in cross sectional thickness,preferably have a width extending generally longitudinally along theratchet strap walls and a height extending generally transverse thereto,and wherein the width is greater than the height. Yet more preferably,the two walls can be formed by bending a sheet into a U-shape with thetwo walls extending from a base portion, whereby a bridge is provided inthe base between the walls forming the inboard pin and whereby an arm isprovided in the base extending from one of the walls and forming theoutboard pin. Between the bridge and arm, the one wall and part of thebase portion can form an L-shaped beam for supporting the arm.

In another form thereof, the present invention is directed to a ratchetstrap apparatus including a tensioning strap adapted to be tensionedsuch as with a wind up drum rotatably mounted between two walls, ahandle selectively engaging and rotatably driving the drum and whereinthe tensioning strap is adapted to be wound onto the drum and unwoundtherefrom. An inboard pin and an outboard pin are secured to theapparatus. A cargo strap is selectively attachable to the apparatus bybending into a loop with a slack end on one side thereof and a cargoengagement end on the other, locating the outboard pin through the loopand both the slack end and cargo engagement end around the inboard pinwith the slack end being sandwiched between the inboard pin and thecargo engagement end. Tension on the cargo engagement end frictionallysecures the slack end between the cargo engagement end and the inboardpin. The outboard pin is secured between the side walls. The side wallsare each provided with a saddle whereon the inboard pin is selectivelyseated extending between the side walls. The cargo strap is selectivelyattachable to the apparatus by wrapping around the outboard pin andthereby bending into a loop and locating the outboard pin through theloop, and placing the inboard pin on the side walls saddles with theslack end and cargo engagement end therearound. Preferably, stop membersare provided on the inboard pin terminal ends projecting beyond an outersurface of the inboard pin for engaging the side walls and preventingundesirable axial sliding of the inboard pin while the cargo strap slackend and engagement end extend therearound.

In yet another form thereof, the present invention is directed to aratchet strap apparatus including a tensioning strap adapted to betensioned such as with a wind up drum rotatably mounted between twowalls, a handle selectively engaging and rotatably driving the drum andwherein the tensioning strap is adapted to be wound onto the drum andunwound therefrom. An inboard pin and an outboard pin are secured to theapparatus. A cargo strap is selectively attachable to the apparatus bybending into a loop with a slack end on one side thereof and a cargoengagement end on the other, locating the outboard pin through the loopand both the slack end and cargo engagement end around the inboard pin.The slack end is sandwiched between the inboard pin and the cargoengagement end whereby tension on the cargo engagement end frictionallysecures the slack end between the cargo engagement end and the inboardpin. The outboard pin is selectively fixedly secured to one of the sidewalls. The other of the side walls includes a saddle whereon theoutboard pin is selectively seated. The outboard pin is located throughthe loop by removing the outboard pin from the saddle, inserting aterminal end thereof through the loop and placing the outboard pin onthe saddle.

Preferably, the selective fixed securement comprises an opening throughthe one side wall wherethrough the outboard pin is slidingly receivedand whereby, when the outboard pin is removed from the saddle, theoutboard pin is selectively slidable through the opening. Stop membersmay be provided on the outboard pin terminal ends projecting beyond anouter surface of the outboard pin for engaging the side walls andpreventing undesirable axial sliding of the outboard pin and preventinginadvertent withdrawal from the loop while the loop is engaged over andon the outboard pin.

In yet a further form thereof, the present invention is directed to aratchet strap apparatus including a tensioning strap adapted to betensioned such as with a wind up drum rotatably mounted between twowalls, a handle selectively engaging and rotatably driving the drum andwherein the tensioning strap is adapted to be wound onto the drum andunwound therefrom. An inboard pin and an outboard pin are secured to theapparatus. A cargo strap is selectively attachable to the apparatus bybending into a loop with a slack end on one side thereof and a cargoengagement end on the other, locating the outboard pin through the loopand both the slack end and cargo engagement end around the inboard pin,the slack end being sandwiched between the inboard pin and the cargoengagement end whereby tension on the cargo engagement end frictionallysecures the slack end between the cargo engagement end and the inboardpin. An opening is provided through one side wall wherethrough theoutboard pin is slidingly received. The other of the side walls includesa saddle whereon the outboard pin is selectively seated. The outboardpin is located through the loop by removing the outboard pin from thesaddle, inserting a terminal end thereof through the loop and placingthe outboard pin on the saddle.

Preferably, stop members are provided on the outboard pin terminal endsprojecting beyond an outer surface of the outboard pin for engaging theside walls and preventing undesirable axial sliding of the outboard pinand preventing inadvertent withdrawal from the loop while the loop isengaged over and on the outboard pin. The two walls may be formed bybending a sheet into a U-shape with the two walls extending from a baseportion and whereby a bridge is provided in the base between the wallsforming the inboard pin. An edge of the bridge is preferably bent overand forms a rounded surface whereat the slack end and cargo engagementend extend therearound. An edge of each of the side walls can be bentforming an L-shaped structural beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the mannerof attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itselfwill be better understood by reference to the following description ofthe embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ratchet strap apparatus constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with thetensioning strap and cargo strap removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus similar to that shown inFIG. 1 but including an optional U-shaped member forming the inboard andoutboard pins:

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ratchet strap apparatus similar tothat of FIG. 1 but wherein the inboard and outboard pins are formed ofthe sheet metal material also forming the side walls;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ratchet strapapparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 with thetensioning strap and cargo strap removed and the inboard pin removedfrom the side walls saddles;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ratchet strapapparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 with thetensioning strap and cargo strap removed and the inboard and outboardpins in exploded view;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a ratchet strap apparatus similar tothat of FIG. 8 but wherein the inboard pin is formed of the sheet metalmaterial also forming the side walls;

FIG. 11 is a partial top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10;and,

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 andfurther showing the outboard pin and the cargo strap attached to theattachment mechanism.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout several views. Although the exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, theembodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise formsdisclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a ratchet strap apparatus constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention is shown andgenerally designated by the numeral 10. Ratchet strap apparatus 10includes a tensioning strap 12 having one end 11 secured to and adaptedto be wound onto and unwound from a wind up drum 14. The terminal end 13of tensioning strap 12 is provided with a steel hook 16. Tensioningstrap 12 is generally flat and is made of nylon or other known andcustomary suitable material.

A cargo strap 32 is also provided and, at its terminal end 33, isprovided with a steel hook 34. At its other end 31, cargo strap 32 isselectively attachable to the ratchet strap apparatus 10 with anattachment mechanism 36 as described herein below. Cargo strap 32 issimilarly generally flat and is made of nylon or other known andcustomary suitable material.

Wind up drum 14 is rotatably mounted between walls 18 and 20. A ratchetmechanism generally designated by the numeral 22, well known to thoseskilled in the art and which is commonly used in prior ratchet strapapparatus, including a handle 24, release 26, catch 28 and toothedmembers 30, is provided for selectively winding the tensioning strap 12onto the wind up drum 14 and for selectively unwinding the tensioningstrap 12 therefrom. Accordingly, ratchet strap apparatus 10 may be usedby securing the hooks 16, 34 as needed or desired, pulling the cargostrap 32 tight and attaching its end 31 thereto and, using the ratchetmechanism 22, rotatably driving the wind up drum 14 and winding thetensioning strap end 11 onto the wind up drum 14 for thereby tensioningthe straps 12, 32. The tension is released using the ratchet mechanism22 and rotatably driving the wind up drum 14 in the opposite directionand unwinding the strap 12. The end 31 of the cargo strap 32 is thendetached therefrom.

The cargo strap end 31 is selectively attachable to the apparatus 10with an attachment mechanism generally designated by the numeral 36.Attachment mechanism 36 includes an inboard pin 38 and an outboard pin40 secured to the apparatus 10. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 12, thecargo strap end 31 is attachable to the apparatus 10 by bending into aloop 42 defining a slack end 44 on one side thereof and a cargoengagement end 46 on the other side thereof. The loop 42 is placed overand extends around the outboard pin 40 and both the slack end 44 and theengagement end 46 are placed over and extend around the inboard pin 38.The slack end 44 is placed directly over and in contact with the inboardpin 38. The engagement end 46 is placed directly over the slack end 44and the inboard pin 38 thereby sandwiching the slack end 44 between theinboard pin 38 and the engagement end 46. As cargo strap 32 is pulledaway from the apparatus 10 as indicated by arrow A, the engagement end46 is placed in tension and frictionally engages the sandwiched slackend 44 around the inboard pin 38. The cargo strap 32 is thereby attachedto the apparatus 10. Indeed, as the tension on cargo strap 32 increasesthe frictional engagement of the sandwiched slack end 44 also increasesthereby further securing the attachment of the cargo strap 32 to theapparatus 10.

As can be appreciated, wrapping the cargo strap end 31 around theoutboard pin 40 and the inboard pin 38 in the attachment position asdescribed herein above can be cumbersome and time-consuming. To thisend, pursuant to the principles of the present invention, the placementof the cargo strap end 31 around the outboard pin 40 and the inboard pin38 is made substantially easier while maintaining the attachmentintegrity.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1through 5, the inboard pin 38 is secured to the apparatus 10 between theside walls 18, 20 and the outboard pin 40 is secured to the side wall 20and extends to a terminal end 48. An opening 50 is thereby definedbetween the outboard pin 48 and the other side wall 18. An inboardopening 52 is also provided behind the inboard pin 38 and between thesidewalls 18, 20. Accordingly, the cargo strap 32 may be attached to theattachment mechanism 36 by forming a loop 42 which can be insertedthrough the inboard opening 52 and then locating the outboard pin 40through the loop 42 by inserting the terminal end 48 therethrough. Asshould now be appreciated, this is possible because opening 50 allowsthe loop 42 to be slipped over the terminal end 48 and onto the outboardpin 40.

Preferably, both in this and the other embodiments described hereinbelow, side walls 18, 20 are formed of thick sheet metal, by stampingand bending operations, into a U-shape with a base section/portion 54and the side walls 18, 20 extending perpendicular therefrom. As bestseen in FIGS. 2 and 3, part of the base portion 54 behind the inboardpin 38 is removed for thereby forming the inboard opening 52.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a U-shaped member 56 isprovided having a base section 58 and integrally formed first leg 60 andsecond leg 62 extending from the base section 58. The first leg 60extends through holes in the side walls 18, 20 and is affixed thereto bywelding or a threaded nut 64 or other equivalent fastener means, andthereby forms the inboard pin 38. The base section 56 is secured to theside wall 20 by welding and/or bent side wall tabs 66. The second leg 62extends out from the side wall 20 toward the other side wall 18 andforms the outboard pin 40. A stop member 68 is provided and projectsbeyond the outer surface 70 of the outboard pin 40 for preventing theinadvertent withdrawal of the loop from the outboard pin 40 when engagedthereover. Yet more preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the U-shaped memberbase 58 and legs 60, 62, in cross sectional thickness, have a width Wwhich is greater than their height H. The thicker width W extendsgenerally longitudinally as shown in FIG. 3 along the walls 18, 20 forthereby increasing the strength in the longitudinal direction along thearrow A.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a bridge 72 is formed and provided bythe base section 54 thereof between the side walls 18, 20. The bridge 72hence serves as the inboard pin 38. An arm 74 if further formed andprovided by part of the base section 54 and extending from the side wall20. The arm 74 hence serves as the outboard pin 40. Between the bridge72 and the arm 74, wall 20 and part of the base section 58 form anL-shaped beam 76 for rigidly securing the arm 74. Additionally, theoutboard pin stop member 68 is formed by bending the terminal end 78 ofthe arm 74 substantially perpendicular thereto.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the outboard pin 40 isformed of a bolt or rod 80 secured between the side walls 18, 20 bywelding and/or a threaded nut 82. Each of the side walls 18, 20 areformed and provided with a saddle cutout part 84 extending downwardlytoward the base section 54 and toward the outboard pin 40. The inboardpin 38 is selectively received and seated in the saddle cutouts 84 andextending between the side walls 18, 20. The inboard pin 38 can be a rodor bolt 86 including stop members 88 on the terminal ends thereofprojecting beyond the outer surface 90 of the inboard pin 38. The stopmembers 88 can, for example, take the form of a head or cotter pin asshown in FIG. 7, so long as they can engage the side walls 18, 20 andprevent axial sliding of the inboard pin 38.

The cargo strap 32 is attached to the attachment mechanism 36 of thisembodiment by wrapping the strap end 31 around the outboard pin 40 andthereby bending the cargo strap 32 and forming the loop 42 therearound.After thereby locating the outboard pin 40 through the loop 42, the loopslack end 44 and engagement end 46 are placed adjacent one another andthe inboard pin 38 is placed on and seated in the side walls saddleswith both the slack end 44 and engagement end 46 extending through theinboard opening 52. Hence, the slack end 44 and engagement end 46 areplaced around the inboard pin 38. The tension on the cargo strap 32 inthe direction of arrow A creates a force into the saddle cutouts 84thereby maintaining the inboard pin 38 seated therein. The stop members88 prevent undesirable axial sliding of the inboard pin 38 while theslack end 44 and engagement end 46 extend therearound.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 through 12, the attachmentmechanism inboard pin 38 is formed of a bolt or rod 90 secured betweenthe side walls 18, 20 by extending through respective holes 91, 93 andwelding and/or with a threaded nut 92. The inboard opening 52 is therebysimilarly formed like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, through the base 54behind the inboard pin 38.

The outboard pin 40 can take the form of a rod or bolt 94 which issimilar to rod or bolt 86 and including stop members 96 at each terminalend thereof such as a head or cotter pin. The side wall 18 is providedwith a saddle cutout 98 whereon the outboard pin 40 may be selectivelyseated. The outboard pin 40 in this embodiment is selectively fixedlysecured to the side wall 20 such as by a hinge mechanism or ahole/opening 100 slightly larger than the bolt 94 whereby bolt 94 canboth axially slide therethrough as well as hingedly pivot in and out ofthe saddle 98.

Accordingly, by unseating outboard pin 40 from the saddle 98 and/orsliding axially through hole 100, an opening similar to opening 50 ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5 is created between the terminal end102 of bolt 94 and the side wall 18/saddle 98. The cargo strap end 31 istherefore attached to the attachment mechanism 36 in a similar fashionas that of FIGS. 1 through 5 except that the outboard pin 40 in thisembodiment is not fixed to the side wall 20. Rather, it is selectivelyhingedly movable and axially slidable for yet more easily inserting theterminal end 102 thereof through the loop. Once inserted, the outboardpin 40 is seated in the saddle 98 whereat the tension then placed on thecargo strap 32 places a force on the outboard pin 40 toward and into thesaddle 98 for maintaining the outboard pin 40 seated therein. Moreover,the stop members 96 prevent undesirable axial sliding of the outboardpin 40 and prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the outboard pin 40 fromthe loop 42.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 12, part of the basesection/portion 54 extends between the side walls 18, 20 and forms abridge 104 which thereby forms the inboard pin 38. The rear edge 105 isbent over 180° onto itself and thereby forms a rounded surface 108serving as the inboard pin 38. The longitudinal upper edges 110 of theside walls 18, 20 are bent outwardly perpendicular to the side wallsthereby forming an integral L-shaped structural beam in each of the sidewalls 18, 20.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ratchet strap apparatus comprising a tensioningstrap adapted to be selectively tensioned, an inboard pin and anoutboard pin secured to the apparatus, and a cargo strap selectivelyattachable to the apparatus by bending into a loop with a slack end onone side thereof and a cargo engagement end on the other, locating theoutboard pin through the loop and both the slack end and cargoengagement end around the inboard pin, the slack end being sandwichedbetween the inboard pin and the cargo engagement end whereby tension onthe cargo engagement end frictionally secures the slack end between thecargo engagement end and the inboard pin, wherein: the outboard pinextends from a side wall to a terminal end; an opening is providedbetween the terminal end and another side wall; the outboard pin islocated through the loop by inserting one of the loop slack end or cargoengagement end through the opening; and, said two walls are formed bybending a sheet into a U-shape with said two walls extending from a baseportion, wherein a bridge is provided in the base between said wallsforming said inboard pin and an arm is provided in the base extendingfrom one of the walls forming said outboard pin.
 2. The ratchetapparatus of claim 1 wherein, between said bridge and arm, said one walland part of said base portion form an L-shaped beam for supporting thearm.
 3. The ratchet apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a stopmember on the outboard pin terminal end formed by bending a terminal endof said arm for preventing inadvertent withdrawal of the pin from theloop while said loop is engaged over and on the outboard pin.
 4. Theratchet apparatus of claim 1 wherein an inboard opening is providedthrough said base portion and said bridge is located between saidinboard opening and said arm.
 5. The ratchet apparatus of claim 4wherein, between said bridge and arm, said one wall and part of saidbase portion form an L-shaped beam for supporting the arm.
 6. Theratchet apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a stop member on theoutboard pin terminal end formed by bending a terminal end of said armfor preventing inadvertent withdrawal of the pin from the loop whilesaid loop is engaged over and on the outboard pin.
 7. A ratchet strapapparatus comprising a tensioning strap adapted to be selectivelytensioned, an inboard pin and an outboard pin secured to the apparatus,and a cargo strap selectively attachable to the apparatus by bendinginto a loop with a slack end on one side thereof and a cargo engagementend on the other, locating the outboard pin through the loop and boththe slack end and cargo engagement end around the inboard pin, the slackend being sandwiched between the inboard pin and the cargo engagementend whereby tension on the cargo engagement end frictionally secures theslack end between the cargo engagement end and the inboard pin, wherein:the outboard pin extends from a side wall to a terminal end; an openingis provided between the terminal end and another side wall; the outboardpin is located through the loop by inserting one of the loop slack endor cargo engagement end through the opening; and, said two walls areformed by bending a sheet into a U-shape with said two walls extendingfrom a base portion and an arm is provided in the base extending from afirst one of the walls and forming said outboard pin.
 8. The ratchetapparatus of claim 7 wherein, between said inboard pin and said arm,said first one wall and part of said base portion form an L-shaped beamfor supporting the arm.
 9. The ratchet apparatus of claim 7 furthercomprising a stop member on the outboard pin terminal end formed bybending a terminal end of said arm for preventing inadvertent withdrawalof the pin from the loop while said loop is engaged over and on theoutboard pin.
 10. A ratchet strap apparatus comprising a tensioningstrap adapted to be selectively tensioned, an inboard pin and anoutboard pin secured to the apparatus, and a cargo strap selectivelyattachable to the apparatus by bending into a loop with a slack end onone side thereof and a cargo engagement end on the other, locating theoutboard pin through the loop and both the slack end and cargoengagement end around the inboard pin, the slack end being sandwichedbetween the inboard pin and the cargo engagement end whereby tension onthe cargo engagement end frictionally secures the slack end between thecargo engagement end and the inboard pin, wherein: the outboard pinextends from a side wall to a terminal end; an opening is providedbetween the terminal end and another side wall; the outboard pin islocated through the loop by inserting one of the loop slack end or cargoengagement end through the opening; and, said two walls are formed bybending a sheet into a U-shape with said two walls extending from a baseportion, and a first one of the walls between said inboard pin and saidoutboard pin is L-shaped forming a beam for supporting said outboardpin.
 11. A ratchet strap apparatus comprising a tensioning strap adaptedto be selectively tensioned, an inboard pin and an outboard pin securedto the apparatus, and a cargo strap selectively attachable to theapparatus by bending into a loop with a slack end on one side thereofand a cargo engagement end on the other, locating the outboard pinthrough the loop and both the slack end and cargo engagement end aroundthe inboard pin, the slack end being sandwiched between the inboard pinand the cargo engagement end whereby tension on the cargo engagement endfrictionally secures the slack end between the cargo engagement end andthe inboard pin, wherein: the outboard pin extends from a side wall to aterminal end; an opening is provided between the terminal end andanother side wall; the outboard pin is located through the loop byinserting one of the loop slack end or cargo engagement end through theopening; and, said side wall between said inboard pin and said outboardpin is L-shaped forming a beam for supporting said outboard pin.
 12. Theratchet apparatus of claim 11 wherein an inboard opening is providedbetween said side walls and said inboard pin is located between saidinboard opening and said outboard pin.
 13. The ratchet strap apparatusof claim 12 further comprising a stop member on the outboard pinterminal end projecting beyond an outer surface of said outboard pin andpreventing inadvertent withdrawal from the loop while said loop isengaged over and on the outboard pin.